Dirty South

It has been an amazing ride for the Grammy Nominated DJ/Producer Dirty South aka Dragan Roganovic.

Born in Belgrade, Serbia and relocating to Melbourne, Australia when he was 13, kick started his musical journey as he started to get influenced by everything around him. Like many other youngsters starting out in the music biz, Dragan couldn't afford turntables but he managed to improvise with his old NEC Hi-Fi and started mixing with the tape decks. From here on, Dragan developed further by making bootlegs and mashups. Next step was to get even more serious so a brand new computer, software and keyboards were needed. The first official production was released in 2004 and Dirty South was born.

Soon after that, there was an influx of Dirty South releases and remixes. In 2005 and 2006, Dirty South was nominated for the renowned Australian Music Industry's top accolade, the ARIA awards, and in 2007 he took home the "Best Producer" trophy at the inthemix top 50 awards. He did that again the following year and added best local DJ to his awards list. Since then, there have been many nominations, awards and accolades, including numerous "Essential New Tune" gongs by the legendary Pete Tong, who hosts the leading weekly global dance radio show The Essential Selection on Radio 1. Besides the successes he has had on his own, with releases like "It's Too Late", "Let It Go", "The End," "Alamo," "Phazing" and "Walking Alone," Dirty South has joined forces with some of best producers in the world and created anthems such as "Open Your Heart" with Axwell, "How Soon Is Now" with David Guetta and Sebastian Ingrosso and "Alive" with Thomas Gold. On the remix tip, Dirty South has given the remix treatment to some of the most recognizable names in the music industry including U2, Snoop Dogg, Tracey Thorn, Depeche Mode, David Guetta, Josh Wink, Skylar Grey and Diddy Dirty Money; and was nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for his remix -with Axwell- of Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition."

During the summer of 2010, Dragan launched his "Phazing" concept; encompassing a label of the same name to its first release from Dirty South called 'Phazing' -which went on to be one of the anthems of 2010- to the 'Phazing Nights' branded live events. The Phazing label has since gone on to release tracks including Dirty South - "Phazing," David Gausa, David Tort & Thomas Gold -- "Areena"-featuring Tiesto and Norman Doray remixes-, Jeremy Olander -- "Airstealer" -featuring Dirty South remix- and most recently in 2011 Dirty South & Thomas Gold "Alive" and Dirty South's latest smash, "Walking Alone" -named "Essential New Tune" by Swedish House Mafia during their takeover of Pete Tong's Essential Selection.-

With the resurgence of dance music in America, Dragan has focused heavily on touring the States where the "Phazing Nights" brand has become one of the hottest nights in the country. In addition to launching a much heralded residency at Marquee Las Vegas - one of the country's most acclaimed clubs -- he also embarked on his largest ever tour of the States in October. Internationally, Dirty South was a main attraction at Ibiza and on all the top summer European Festivals. The summer 2011 was most notably highlighted by his covering for Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso while playing alongside Axwell at Swedish House Mafia's Masquerade Motel at Pacha in Ibiza.

In between his heavy touring and producing schedule, there has always been time to do a yearly mix CD, and Dirty South has put his name down to compilations for labels such as Ministry Of Sound, Toolroom Records, Cr2 and SONY to name a few. Most recently, he teamed up with the legendary house music label Strictly Rhythm for the June 2011 release of "Strictly Dirty South." This unique compilation is spread over two discs featuring Strictly Rhythm classics, Dirty South originals and remixes plus some extra special edits.

Dirty South is perhaps the most versatile talent currently working in the dance world. A bold statement, yes, but in 2011 he's experienced tremendous growth on all facets of his game. As a producer he's produced two of the year's biggest hits in "Alive" -with Thomas Gold- and "Walking Alone;" delivered remixes which are instant global anthems with his take on Diddy Dirty Money "Coming Home" and Skylar Grey "invisible;" and toured the world as a DJ more than at any other point in his career.

Dirty South has an even bigger 2012 planned with new productions, remixes and tour dates already in the works. On to the next Phaze...